President Lee Jae-myung, who is on a state visit to Italy, met with Lorenzo Fontana, speaker of the Italian Chamber of Deputies, on June 11 (local time) following a summit with Italian President Sergio Mattarella.
Lee arrived at Palazzo Montecitorio, home of Italy’s lower house of parliament, where he was welcomed by Fontana before the two posed for a commemorative photo and held talks.
During the photo session, Fontana jokingly remarked that the camera flashes made the setting feel “like a movie set.” Lee responded with a smile, saying, “It seems our speaker is very popular,” before the two proceeded to the meeting room.
According to Kang Yu-jung, senior presidential spokesperson, Lee asked Fontana to support efforts to deepen parliamentary diplomacy between the two countries and expand cooperation that delivers tangible benefits to both peoples.
Lee also requested continued attention and support for South Korean nationals living in Italy.
Fontana said he has long held a strong interest in South Korea and expressed his intention to contribute to expanding exchanges with various sectors of Korean society, including the National Assembly. He also indicated his willingness to visit South Korea.
The Italian parliamentary speaker praised South Korea’s cultural influence, saying the country’s cultural appeal is captivating young Italians, driven by the growing popularity of K-beauty products and Korean television dramas.